Cross-party MPs form new APPG group to question the case for Heathrow 3rd runway

Date added: July 21, 2017

A new cross-party group of MPs against the expansion of Heathrow Airport has been launched in Westminster. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has been set up to bring together politicians opposing a 3rd runway and scrutinise the issues related to proposed expansion. Reflecting the cross-party opposition, the group is co-chaired by Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park – and Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, with Vince Cable MP for Twickenham as treasurer and Baroness Jenny Jones as vice chair. Zac Goldsmith says the group will “question the case for a 3rd runway at Heathrow.” He added: “The political support for the campaign against expansion is growing and the delay to the vote on the National Policy Statement (NPS) reflects the concern the government has about the possibility of defeat.” Ruth Cadbury does not believe expansion is “deliverable” and there are “… far too many unanswered questions on key issues that affect our communities including the complete absence of information about flight paths, the questionable quality of the noise mitigation offer, the costs of the surface access improvements and the financial liabilities that will ultimately be picked up by taxpayers.” The vote in the House of Commons on the Heathrow NPS will not be until about June 2018.
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Cross-party MPs form new group to question the case for Heathrow third runway

MPs claim there is a growing number of political support against the expansion of Heathrow Airport

BY SALINA PATEL (Get West London)
20 JUL 2017

A new cross-party MP group against the expansion of Heathrow Airport has been launched in Westminster.

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has been set up to bring together politicians opposing a third runway and scrutinise the issues related to proposed expansion.

The group is co-chaired by Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, with Vince Cable MP for Twickenham as treasurer and Baroness Jenny Jones as vice chair. Mr Goldsmith says the group will “question the case for a third runway at Heathrow.”

He added: “The political support for the campaign against expansion is growing and the delay to the vote on the National Policy Statement (NPS) reflects the concern the government has about the possibility of defeat.”

Meanwhile, Ms Cadbury highlighted she doesn’t believe expansion is “deliverable” and there are “many unanswered questions.”

She added: “There are far too many unanswered questions on key issues that affect our communities including the complete absence of information about flight paths, the questionable quality of the noise mitigation offer, the costs of the surface access improvements and the financial liabilities that will ultimately be picked up by taxpayers.”

Last week, transport secretary Chris Grayling stated the publication of the final Airport’s National Policy Statement (NPS) setting out the position of the government and the ensuing House of Commons vote will not take place until the first half of next year, blaming the snap General Election for the delay.

He said: “ This government is fully committed to realising the benefits that a new northwest runway at Heathrow would bring, in terms of economic growth, boosting jobs and skills, strengthening domestic links and – critically – increasing and developing our international connectivity as we prepare to leave the European Union.

“The timing of the election, in particular the need to re-start a select committee inquiry into the draft Airports NPS means we now expect to lay any final NPS in Parliament in the first half of 2018, for a vote in the House of Commons.”

He added that a further update would be provided following the House of Commons summer recess.

A new All Party Parliamentary Group was launched in Westminster yesterday. The APPG on Heathrow Expansion was set up to bring together MPs opposed to a third runway and examine issues related to the proposed expansion. A very well attended AGM took place with parliamentarians from across the political spectrum present and additional numbers unable to attend expressing their interest in the work of the group.

Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park said,“This APPG will bring together parliamentarians to question the case for a third runway at Heathrow. The political support for the campaign against expansion is growing and the delay to the vote on the National Policy Statement (NPS) reflects the concern the Government has about the possibility of defeat.”

Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth said,“I look forward to working with colleagues to highlight that expansion at Heathrow is simply not deliverable. There are far too many unanswered questions on key issues that affect our communities including the complete absence of information about flight paths, the questionable quality of the noise mitigation offer, the costs of the surface access improvements and the financial liabilities that will ultimately be picked up by taxpayers.”